BRITAIN’s energy supplier SSE is demanding customers to pay an extra £76 a year after unveiling the latest price hike, leaving 2.4 million customers to fork out for staggering electricity and gas bills.
The firm announced an increase in the prices, claiming the decision was due to rises in wholesale and government policy costs.
Customers will see a 7.7 percent rise in electricity bills and a 5.7% increase in gas, with a typical dual fuel user spending an extra £1.50 per week.
SSE will implement the price hike on 11 July, saying the move will impact more than two million of its customers across the UK.
However, users with a pre-payment meter, on fixed-price or vulnerable customer safeguard tariffs will not be affected.
The energy firm have also declared plans to scrap their £6 per fuel, per year paperless billing discount once the new changes are implemented.
SSE is now the final energy company to announce a series of price changes, after other ‘big six’ firms – including British Gas, EDF, Scottish Power, Npower and E.ON – also revealed plans to increase bill prices.
Energy supplier companies pointed fingers at the Government for forcing them to hike prices, after Whitehall officials introduced a cap on standard variable tariffs.
Economic experts warn the price rise is likely to increase inflation, as more than nine million households will bear the burden of staggering electricity and gas bills from energy firms.
Stephen Forbes, chief commercial officer of SSE energy services, said: “We deeply regret having to raise prices and have worked hard to withstand the increasing costs that are largely
outside our control by reducing our own internal costs.
“However, as we’ve seen with recent adjustments to Ofgem’s price caps, the cost of supplying energy is increasing and this ultimately impacts the prices we’re able to offer customers.”
SSE is currently facing regulatory scrutiny following a joint restructuring plans Npower.
Last November, the two energy firms agreed a deal to re-establish their supply arms to join forces and create a new player, reducing the big six to five.
The deal is currently being investigated by Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which referred the situation for a detailed inquiry to report in October.
In February, the government announced a cap on electricity and gas prices after concerns emerged that costumers were being “ripped off”.
The Domestic Gas and Electricity Bill will allow regulator Ofgem to limit tariffs up until 2020, helping Brits to save up to £100 per year.
Theresa May insisted the bill would “force energy companies to change their ways”.
Announcing the bill, Theresa May said: “It’s often older people or those on low incomes who are stuck on rip-off energy tariffs, so today we are introducing legislation to force energy
companies to change their ways.
“Our energy price cap will cut bills for millions of families.”